Leeds and Sky: Marching on together

More excellent news for the Leeds economy today after Sky announced plans to create 400 jobs at a new tech hub in the city centre. 

The digital skills and innovation centre will be located at Allied London’s Leeds Dock with the design and development of Sky’s next generation of apps and websites the primary focus.

And in an added boost for Leeds, Sky will also create a Software Engineering Academy here.  Based on a similar scheme established in London in 2011, the facility will provide young people across the North with the opportunity to learn digital skills and find a route into the sector.

“Digital skills and innovation are at the heart of what we do at Sky, helping us give customers the best possible TV experience, whether at home or on the move,” said Sky Group Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch.  “With our investment in Leeds, we’re creating one of the largest digital communities in the UK.”

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid added: “The announcement is a boost to the digital economy of the entire Northern Powerhouse, and will undoubtedly help to cement Leeds as a leading technology cluster.”   

Sky’s investment will take the number of its employees in Leeds past 1,000, spread across tech and customer services.

Truly a city on the digital march.